Match Preview – Tuesday 21st October 2014
SUNDERLAND RCA vs NEWTON AYCLIFFE
Meadow Park, Sunderland. Kick Off 7.30pm.
By Paul McGeary
Meadow Park hosts the proverbial six-pointer as second-bottom Sunderland RCA host third-bottom Newton Aycliffe.
The Newtonians are looking to end a run of six straight defeats after their narrow 1-0 reverse at home to Dunston on Saturday.
Just like their visitors, the Ryhope club have undergone recent managerial change in a bid to steer them clear of relegation, an all-too-familiar task of recent seasons between the pair.
RCA have suffered back-to-back defeats in the past seven days, but prior to that had defeated West Allotment Celtic and held league leaders West Auckland as they climbed off the foot of the table.
Aycliffe will be without central defender Richard Langthorne who is unavailable but include recent signing from Crook, Ian Maddison to their defensive ranks.
Mark Stephenson completes a two-game suspension while James Oliver will look to get back in favour having been left out at the weekend.
James Winter should continue in goal after a good debut in Saturday’s narrow reverse to Dunston, while Conor Winter will look to follow up his four goals from Sunday’s club game with Hetton Lyons by registering his first in Newtonian blue.
Last season Aycliffe ran out comfortable 4-0 victors in the corresponding fixture and new boss Peter Dixon will look for a similar performance as he seeks his first win at the fourth attempt.
Tale of the tape
Key Man: Zak Boagey
One to Watch: Gavin Barton
Familiar Faces: Gavin Barton
Form Guide: Sunderland RCA WWDWLL Newton Aycliffe LLLLLL
Last Season: 0-4
